(03/14/06) SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the Energy Star label to almost 700 buildings in California for superior energy and environmental performance in 2005.

Across the nation, more than 2,500 office buildings, schools, hospitals, and public buildings, representing 482 million square feet, earned the Energy Star label. Together, these buildings are saving an estimated $349 million annually in lower energy bills, while meeting industry standards for comfort and indoor air quality. These buildings also are preventing 1.8 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to the emissions from 540,000 vehicles.

“Investing in energy efficiency is a win-win for companies, schools and homes,” said Deborah Jordan, director of the U.S. EPA’s air division for the Pacific Southwest. “Business owners, school districts and home owners see the benefit in reduced energy costs – and, doing their part to reduce environmental impacts from energy production and use.”

Commercial buildings account for more than 17 percent of our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. Energy Star buildings generally use up to 40 percent less energy than typical buildings. Building owners earn the Energy Star by earning a “75” or better on EPA’s energy performance rating system, ranging from 1-100. Scores are based on actual energy use. Top-performing buildings can be found in every state in the nation and the District of Columbia. The average score for Energy Star labeled buildings in 2005 is 86.

Among the top performing buildings are 1007 office buildings, 501 public schools and 834 grocery stores. More than 200 hotels, hospitals, medical offices, and other buildings also earned the Energy Star label. Top-performing buildings can be found in every state in the nation and the District of Columbia.

Energy Star is a government-backed program helping businesses and consumers protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. By partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through Energy Star, more than 7,000 private and public sector organizations in 2004 alone saved enough energy to power 24 million homes and avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 20 million cars – all while saving $10 billion in energy costs.